Two charged in string of Dover home burglaries

DOVER — Two men were arraigned Friday morning in connection with the string of recent burglaries that have plagued the Garrison City during hours of daylight and involved forced entry into homes.

Police have been investigating these break-ins since November and have arrested Christopher Morin, 27, of 50 Mill St., and Joseph Sprague, 23, of 149 Portland Ave. The two men are being held on $25,000 and $10,000 cash bail, respectively.

A statement issued Friday morning regarding the arrests states detectives learned within the last week that Sprague had been selling jewelry to area stores soon after burglaries were reported. Through further investigation, the detectives were able to link Sprague and Morin to eight of the recent burglaries.

Morin, for whom no plea was entered, faces eight felony level charges for burglaries all similar in circumstance except for their exact times and various locations throughout the city.

The burglaries included homes on Oak Street, Back River Road, Fairfield Drive, West Knox Marsh Road, Atlantic Avenue, Forest Street, and Dover Point Road between Dec. 7, 2012 and Jan. 10, 2013.

Due to a lengthy criminal record including possession of a controlled drug, driving under the influence, criminal mischief and other items over the last several years, Morin was considered a “danger to the community.”

According to prosecutors, a door had been forced open to gain entrance in all but two of the eight burglaries, and during one, a homeowner was present.

“These are serious charges,” Judge Stephen Morrison told the defendant, who was arraigned by video. Morin’s bail conditions include not coming within 25 feet of the location of any of the residences he allegedly burglarized, the victims, or with co-defendant, Sprague.

Should Morin post bail, he is ordered to be monitored by the Strafford County Community Corrections (SCCC) program with GPS tracking bracelet.

Sprague faces four felony-level charges of criminal liability for the conduct of another. He allegedly was Morin’s accomplice for four of the eight burglaries by Morin on Oak Street, Fairfield Drive, Atlantic Avenue, and Forest Street, acting as a “lookout.”

No plea was entered on his behalf and his cash only bail will convert to personal recognizance if he is accepted into SCCC.

That acceptance is conditional on Sprague also having a place to live. There was some confusion during the arraignment as to whether his mother would allow him to again live at her home.

His lawyer explained the issue was discussed with the man’s mother on Thursday and he does not believe Sprague would be without a place to live.

“I think she will calm down,” he said.

Sprague is also to have no contact with any of the alleged burglary victims and is not to come within 25 feet of their locations as part of his bail conditions. He may also not contact Morin.

Though he will undergo regular drug testing and also wear a GOS monitoring bracelet, Morrison warned that should he fail to be of good behavior and comply with set conditions, Sprague would find himself in jail once again.